Before: A historic Main Line mansion in Radnor Township was gutted by a fire on Wednesday afternoon, by the time firefighters arrived, it was too late to save it

During: An automatic alarm was triggered shortly before 2:30pm and by the time firefighters arrived, flames could be seen shooting through the roof of the three-story structure on the estate known as Bloomfield

Lucky escape: A man and woman who were renting the property got out safely with their two dogs and a rabbit in a cage, and three firefighters suffered only minor injuries

Engulfed in flames: The fire, which started in an area between the main house and an adjoining garage, was declared under control before 6pm but fire crews were still putting out hot spots well into the night

It is still unclear what started the fire – in an area between the main house and adjoining garage – and though it was under control by around 6pm, crews were still putting out hotspots into the early hours of this morning.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries.

Mr Wood told the Philadelphia Inquirer that around ten companies and 175 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was the equivalent of four alarms.

Though it was shrouded in white smoke, the charred remains of the mansion could be seen.

Movie: Bloomfield mansion was used as a stand in for Gracie Mansion in the new Jason Statham movie Safe, released on April 27

Gracie Mansion: The sprawling estate became the official residence for New York mayors since 1942. Only current mayor Michael Bloomberg has chosen not to live there

In late 2010, the 5.87-acre estate served as a double for Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City’s mayor, for the Jason Statham action movie Safe, which will open in theaters on April 27.

Gracie Mansion became the official residence for New York mayors in 1942 and only Mayor Bloomberg has chosen not to live rent free in the stately riverside home.

The mansion was listed for sale last year at $6.9million and boasts 19 bedrooms and nine full baths in its 22,000-plus square feet of living space, officials said.

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The estate was originally the site of the Victorian home of Albert Eugene Gallatin, which was built around 1885.

Historical: The estate was originally the site of the Victorian home of Albert Eugene Gallatin, which was built around 1885

Sprawling mansion: Bloomfield, listed for sale last year at $6.9 million, had 19 bedrooms and nine full baths in its 22,000-plus square feet of living space, officials said

Engulfed: About 10 companies and 175 firefighters responded to the blaze and as they battled the towering flames, the mansion was veiled in white smoke that would occasionally clear enough to reveal the charred remains

George McFadden Jr., a cotton tycoon, acquired the estate, and in the early 1920s he hired famed Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer to remake the main residence in the style of a chateau, according to the Radnor Historical Society.

McFadden died when he was electrocuted by a steam cabinet in a bathroom, the article said, but the estate remained in the family until 1984.

County records show the property is owned by Jerald Batoff, the son of the late William Batoff, a prominent Democratic fund-raiser.

Neighbour Beverly Ornik told NBC: ‘We spoke with the gardener and he was the first one to see the flames, they jetted out of the third floor window, he was outside at the time, saw the flames on the third floor.

‘The current renters of the house were both in their second floor offices respectively, they came out because they smelled something and they asked the gardener where’s the fire?’